St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-01-15
THE SIMPLE kUBUS

for Their Great Natural shyness.
These queer people. the Kubus. were
first seen. writes spicy English trav-
eler. when pushing my way through
Central Sumatra, along the upper
reaches of the Musi river. The tribe is
small in numbers, they live in the
depths of the forest. and ''are simple,
harmless wildwood children" and are
noted for great natural timidity and
sh yness. Their dwellings are very
simple in construction. A low plat
form forms the floor. after which thick.
leaved branches waving overhead are
coaxed into shape and interlacing shell
ter. made fast with slender wigs: the
pretty structure is then crowned with
thatch Of banana or palm leaves. In
these bird-like homes the inoffensive
creatures live with comfort, unhappy
only when food is scarce. and gums
and beeswax fail. for on these latter
articles do they mainly depend in their
trade with outsiders.
All about their humble dwelling
places ''elegancies of color and dra-
perry" abound-a wealth of bud and
bloom for which many one in cultured
lands would willingly pay any price;
the poor Kubus value them simply as
shelter. or perchance rs of account in
seasons of barter. Among the giants
of the forest towering in majesty above
these simple nest-like homes are nut
meg trees of fabulous height, with ex-
quisite drop-likc fruits, oaks q mass Of
inf rtI Ipnr NaA
with wealth of pink and scarlet flow
ers. intermingled with the dark-foliaged
fig and slender. graceful bamboo.
Beyond this aggregation Of delight
for the eye. one notes that every life
less branch and ancient trunk is fes-
tOOned to its EXTREMIST point with
climbers aud pendant vines, gay in
yellow and purple blooms. and birds of
richest pluma.c ceaselessly wing their
way to woadrOus heights pouring out
floods of song.
At certain seasons Malay traders ap-
prOach these forest settlem cnts. in
their presence by striking
gong at points set apart for rendez.
vous and deposit: the Kubus now bring
their gathered trcasures-spices. resins.
gums and wax-and placing them at
tractivcly in position, retire to some
secluded corner, beat gong. and
await the second signal from the timer
ant dealer. who in turn Immediately
draws near, notes with keen vision the
wares on exhibition, calculates their
worth. LAYS beside them what he deems
an honest equivalent in clothes, knives,
spears and baubles-things dear to the
hearts of kubu men and women-tien
quietly slips out Of sight, and again
there comes a shrill gong echo. Again
the kubus sally out. kcenly examine
the goods offered in exchange; il all is
take them up. go again to
their hiding places. and again touch .
gong. leaving the field clear for the
trader. who speedily departs with his
new treasures.
Years ago the Dutch Government
partially succeeded in inducing some of
The most capable of these Kubus to
earn some Of the simplest arts of
agriculture, to see IL such touches Of
would not improve and in q
measure educate them TO broader
life. Since that time an improvement
mas been noted in their manner OF dress.
The introduction of gay calicoes greatly
pleased these simple people. and there
vas less use among them OF homemade
garments made from tender barks and
caves. and . rude sort Of mating made
~ pounding tough 6bers. Still. their
progress has been painfully slow.
They retain love of ease and unclean-
iness, and have made no changes in
heir customary bill of fare, in which
snakes and lizards are looked upon as
rare tidbits.
The Kubus have thin lips and rest.
ess. ever-glancing eyes; in height they
resemble Malays. Their language is
IN odd jangle Of sounds. learned from
occasional and always forced inter-
course with neighboring tribes. and. IA
,ne writer tells us. seems much like
he joining of syllables never meant to
De put together. with infections and
accent peculiarly their own.
They have great dexterity in the use
II spears. and are fair marksmen.
,linging with small stones. They seem
% have no idea of . state after death.
md say when We are dead We are
lead" Some idea Of government pre-
rails. for there '.are elders among |
hem. who settle disputes and impose
."-Harper's Bazor.
The grocer never sings my way il
I. u. >~I louolv He ~oiOh ia usua11v